Connector

Abstract

A male connector (100) is provided with a plurality of sub-housings (20) connected in the vertical direction. Among the plurality of sub-housings (20), vertically adjacent sub-housings (20) have a locking part (11) for locking the sub-housings (20) to each other. The locking part (11) has: an elastic locking part (24) provided extending in a cantilevered fashion from one of the adjacent sub-housings (20) toward the other; and a locking receiving part (25) that is provided on the other sub-housing (20) and is locked on the elastic locking part (24). The sub-housings (20) each have a guide groove part (50). The guide groove part (50) has an insertion port (51) opening at a position corresponding to an extension end part of the elastic locking part (24) on a front surface on the side that mates with a counterpart connector or on a rear surface opposite to the side that mates with the counterpart connector, extends from the insertion port (51) toward the extension end part of the elastic locking part (24), and faces the extension end part of the elastic locking part (24).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] Conventionally, stacked connectors have been known in which multiple sub-housings are stacked. The stacked sub-housings are held together by locking portions to prevent separation. Separation of the stacked sub-housings is achieved using a release jig, as described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 listed below.

[0003] The release jig described in Patent Document 1 below has left and right release pins. An operator inserts the release pins of the release jig into the internal spaces of the lock arms of the stacked sub-housings. The release pins press the locking portions to release the lock.

[0004] JP 2011-222399 A JP 2005-25997 A JP 2008-84672 A

[0005] However, in the above-described work of separating the sub-housings, it is sometimes difficult to determine the position and direction in which the jig should be inserted, resulting in poor workability.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve the workability of separating the sub-housing.

[0007] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of sub-housings connected in the vertical direction, and adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings in the vertical direction have locking portions that lock with each other to prevent the sub-housings from separating, and the locking portions have an elastic locking portion that extends cantilevered from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a locking receiving portion that is provided on the other sub-housing and locks with the elastic locking portion, and the sub-housings have a guide groove portion that has an insertion port that opens at a position corresponding to the extended end of the elastic locking portion on the front side of the side that mates with the mating connector or on the rear side opposite the side that mates with the mating connector, and extends from the insertion port toward the extended end of the elastic locking portion and faces the extended end of the elastic locking portion.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can improve the workability of separating the sub-housing.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, showing a state in which a plurality of sub-housings are housed in a frame in a coupled state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sub-housing and terminal fittings. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sub-housing. FIG. 5 is a side view of the sub-housing. FIG. 6 is a front view of the sub-housing. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a locking portion in a locked state. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a jig is inserted into a receptacle in a coupled state. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged front view of the receptacle. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which a jig is inserted into a guide groove portion from the receptacle. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a jig is inserted into a guide groove portion from the receptacle. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking portion is released.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A connector according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of sub-housings connected vertically, wherein adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings have locking portions that lock together to prevent the sub-housings from separating. The locking portions include a resilient locking portion extending cantilevered from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a locking receiving portion on the other sub-housing that is engaged with the resilient locking portion. The sub-housings have guide grooves, each of which has an insertion opening on its front surface, which faces the mating connector, or on its rear surface opposite the mating connector, at a position corresponding to the extending end of the resilient locking portion. The guide groove extends from the insertion opening toward the extending end of the resilient locking portion and faces the extending end of the resilient locking portion. With this configuration, when separating the connected sub-housings, an operator inserts a jig into the insertion opening of the guide groove. The jig is guided by the guide groove and inserted to the rear, where it contacts the extended end of the elastic locking portion and disengages the locking portion. The insertion position of the jig is clear because the insertion port is visible, and the insertion direction of the jig is guided by the guide groove, improving the workability of the work of separating the sub-housings. [2] In the connector described in [1] above, the insertion port may be formed on the front surface of the side that mates with the mating connector. With this configuration, no electric wires are drawn out from the surface that mates with the mating connector, making it easy for the worker to see the insertion port of the jig. Therefore, the workability of the work of separating the sub-housings can be improved. [3] In the connector described in [1] or [2] above, the sub-housing may have a protruding portion that covers the end of the extended end of the elastic locking portion of an adjacent sub-housing. With this configuration, the worker is prevented from accidentally inserting the jig from the end of the elastic locking portion. Therefore, the worker can insert the jig into the insertion opening of the guide groove portion without any mistakes.

[0011] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a male connector 100 (connector) comprises a frame 101, a moving plate 102, a lever 103, a plurality of sub-connectors 10 in a connected state, and a locking portion 11. The state in which a plurality of sub-connectors 10 are connected is referred to as a connected state. The male connector 100 can be mated with a mating connector (not shown). The lever 103 can rotate around a shaft portion 104. The locking portion 11 prevents adjacent sub-connectors 10 from separating when connected.

[0013] In the following description of each component, the positive X-axis side in each figure is the front side, the negative X-axis side is the rear side, the positive Y-axis side is the left side, the negative Y-axis side is the right side, the positive Z-axis side is the top side, and the negative Z-axis side is the bottom side. The X-axis is parallel to the mating direction with the mating connector. The Z-axis is parallel to the connecting direction of the sub-connector 10. "Parallel" includes a state of being roughly parallel as well as a state of being strictly parallel. The direction references are for convenience. For example, the bottom side does not necessarily coincide with the bottom side in the direction of gravity when the sub-connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0014] The frame 101 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. Approximately the front half of the frame 101 is a hood portion 105. The hood portion 105 collectively surrounds the tabs 41 of the terminal fittings 40 (described later). The mating connector is fitted inside the hood portion 105. The mating of the mating connector and the male connector 100 proceeds by rotating the lever 103.

[0015] The moving plate 102 is disposed inside the hood portion 105. Before mating with the mating connector, the moving plate 102 is positioned forward and away from the rear surface of the hood portion 105. The moving plate 102 positions the front end of the tab 41 of the terminal fitting 40. The moving plate 102 moves toward the rear side of the hood portion 105 when mated with the mating connector.

[0016] Approximately the rear half of the frame 101 is a connector accommodating portion 106. The connector accommodating portion 106 accommodates the sub-housing 20 in a connected state. The sub-housing 20 in a connected state accommodated in the connector accommodating portion 106 is prevented from being removed from the connector accommodating portion 106 by a locking structure (not shown).

[0017] The sub-connector 10 includes a sub-housing 20 and terminal fittings 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-housing 20 accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings 40 therein. Each terminal fitting 40 includes a tab 41, a terminal body 42, and a wire connection portion 43. The terminal fitting 40 is elongated in the front-to-rear direction as a whole. The tab 41 extends forward from the terminal body 42. The terminal body 42 includes a primary locking portion 44 and a secondary locking portion 45 (see FIG. 2). The primary locking portion 44 is locked to the lance 29 of the sub-housing 20. The secondary locking portion 45 is locked to the retaining portion 31 of the adjacent sub-housing 20 above in the connected state. The wire connection portion 43 is crimped to the end of the electric wire 107.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sub-housing 20 has a housing main body 21, a protruding portion 22, an elastic locking portion 24, a lock receiving portion 25, a guide groove portion 50, and a closing portion 26.

[0019] The housing body 21 has a generally flat shape with a small height relative to its depth in the front-to-rear direction and width in the left-to-right direction. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 28 are formed in the housing body 21 and aligned in the left-to-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , each terminal accommodating chamber 28 opens to both front and rear end surfaces of the sub-housing 20. A lance 29 is formed in each terminal accommodating chamber 28 to prevent the terminal 40 from slipping out.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of retaining portions 31 are provided on the lower surface 21S of the housing main body 21. Each retaining portion 31 is protruding and arranged at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 4, an opening 32 is formed on the upper surface 21U of the housing main body 21. The opening 32 opens a portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 28 upward in the front-to-rear direction. In the connected state, each retaining portion 31 enters the terminal accommodating chamber 28 of the adjacent sub-housing 20 below through the opening 32.

[0021] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the protrusions 22 are provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 21 and protrude to the left and right. The protrusions 22 extend linearly from near the front end of the sub-housing 20 toward the rear. The rear end of the protrusions 22 is located rearward of the center of the housing main body 21 in the front-to-rear direction. The lower surface of the protrusions 22 is flush with the lower surface 21S of the housing main body 21. The protrusions 22 can be inserted into grooves 106M formed in the connector accommodating portion 106 (see Figure 1).

[0022] 7, the elastic locking portion 24 and the locking receiving portion 25 constitute the locking portion 11. In the connected state, the elastic locking portion 24 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the upper sub-housing 20 toward the lower sub-housing 20 of two vertically adjacent sub-housings 20. The locking receiving portion 25 is locked to the elastic locking portion 24 of the upper sub-housing 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7 , the elastic locking portion 24 has an extension portion 58 and a protrusion 34. The extension portion 58 protrudes downward in a cantilevered manner from the underside of the overhang portion 22. The protrusion 34 is provided at the lower end (also referred to as the tip or extension end) of the extension portion 58. The protrusion 34 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the extension portion 58. In the connected state, the protrusion 34 engages with the lock receiving portion 25 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side. In the connected state, the lower end of the elastic locking portion 24 is adjacent to the overhang portion 22 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side. The overhang portion 22 protrudes outward in the left-right direction beyond the elastic locking portion 24. In the connected state, the overhang portion 22 of the sub-housing 20 adjacent to the lower side protrudes below the elastic locking portion 24. In the connected state, the elastic locking portion 24 is exposed outward in the left-right direction between the upper and lower overhang portions 22.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 , the elastic locking portions 24 are provided on both left and right ends of the housing main body 21. The elastic locking portions 24 are elastically deformable outward in the left-right direction. The elastic locking portions 24 are wall-shaped and wide in the front-rear direction. The elastic locking portions 24 are provided in the front region of the sub-housing 20 (see FIG. 5 ).

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking receiving portions 25 are provided on both the left and right sides of the housing main body 21. The locking receiving portions 25 extend in the front-rear direction. The locking receiving portions 25 extend from near the front end of the sub-housing 20 to the blocking portion 26. The locking receiving portions 25 are provided above the protruding portions 22. The locking receiving portions 25 protrude outward in the left-right direction on the left and right side surfaces of the sub-housing 20. The lower surfaces of the locking receiving portions 25 are locking surfaces 56 that lock with the elastic locking portions 24, as shown in Figure 7. The upper surfaces of the locking receiving portions 25 are inclined surfaces 57 that are inclined outward in the left-right direction from the top toward the locking surfaces 56.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the guide groove portion 50 is provided on both the left and right sides of the sub-housing 20. The guide groove portion 50 has an upper guide surface 53, a lower guide surface 54, and a guide side surface 55. The upper guide surface 53 is formed by the lower surface (locking surface 56) of the locking receiving portion 25. The lower guide surface 54 is formed by the upper surface of the protruding portion 22. The guide side surface 55 stands in the up-down direction between the lower surface of the locking receiving portion 25 and the upper surface of the protruding portion 22. The guide groove portion 50 extends rearward from the front surface of the sub-housing 20. The rear end of the guide groove portion 50 is located at approximately the same position as the rear end of the elastic locking portion 24 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] 8 to 10, the guide groove portion 50 has an insertion port 51 for inserting the jig J on its front surface (the surface that mates with the mating connector). The insertion port 51 is the front end of the guide groove portion 50 and opens forward. In the connected state, the insertion port 51 is provided in the same position as the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 in the locked state.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 11 , the guide groove portion 50 has a guide surface 52. The guide surface 52 is provided at the front end of the guide groove portion 50. The guide surface 52 is part of a guide side surface 55. The guide surface 52 is inclined outward in the left-right direction from the insertion port 51 toward the rear. The left-right width dimension of the guide groove portion 50 increases from the rear end of the guide surface 52 toward the insertion port 51. The left-right width of the insertion port 51 is made wider by the guide surface 52 than the rear side of the guide groove portion 50. The rear end of the guide surface 52 is located rearward of the front end of the elastic locking portion 24.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the blocking portions 26 are provided at the rear end of the housing main body 21. One blocking portion 26 is provided behind each of the left and right guide groove portions 50. The blocking portions 26 have a flat surface that forms the rear surface of the sub-housing 20. The flat surface of the blocking portion 26 is flush with the periphery of the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 28.

[0030] Next, an example of the operation of separating the sub-housing 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8 , the worker inserts a jig J into the connected sub-housing 20 from the front. The worker may use a flat-head screwdriver or the like as the jig J. Because the front surface of the sub-housing 20 is not hidden by the electric wires 107, the worker can easily see the insertion port 51. Because the lower portion of the elastic locking portion 24 is covered by the overhanging portion 22, the worker is prevented from accidentally inserting the jig J between the lower end of the elastic locking portion 24 and the overhanging portion 22. Because the rear of the guide groove portion 50 is blocked by the blocking portion 26, the worker can insert the jig J into the guide groove portion 50 only through the insertion port 51.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 11 , the tip of the jig J inserted into the insertion port 51 is guided along the guide surface 52 to the inside of the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24. The jig J enters between the guide side surface 55 and the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 and presses the protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 outward in the left-right direction. As a result, the elastic locking portion 24 elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction and disengages from the lock receiving portion 25, as shown in FIG. 12 . The protrusion 34 of the elastic locking portion 24 is guided upward along the inclined surface 57 of the lock receiving portion 25, and the upper sub-housing 20 moves upward away from the lower sub-housing 20. The operator can easily separate the sub-housings 20 by inserting the jig J into the left and right insertion ports 51 in order. This completes the sub-housing 20 separation operation.

[0032] Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The male connector 100 includes a plurality of sub-housings 20 connected in the vertical direction. Vertically adjacent sub-housings 20 among the plurality of sub-housings 20 have locking portions 11 that lock together to prevent the sub-housings 20 from separating. The locking portions 11 include elastic locking portions 24 and locking receiving portions 25. The elastic locking portions 24 extend cantilever-like from the upper sub-housing 20 to the lower sub-housing 20 among the adjacent sub-housings 20. The locking receiving portion 25 is provided on the lower sub-housing 20 and is locked by the elastic locking portion 24. The sub-housings 20 include a guide groove 50. The guide groove 50 includes an insertion opening 51. The insertion opening 51 opens on the front surface of the sub-housing 20 at a position corresponding to the extending end of the elastic locking portion 24. The guide groove 50 extends from the insertion opening 51 toward the tip of the elastic locking portion 24. The rear side (rear side) of the guide groove portion 50 in the extending direction faces the extending end portion of the elastic locking portion 24 .

[0033] According to this configuration, when separating the connected sub-housings 20, the worker inserts the jig J into the insertion opening 51 of the guide groove portion 50. The jig J is guided by the guide groove portion 50 and inserted to the back side, where it comes into contact with the tip of the elastic locking portion 24 and releases the locking portion 11. The insertion position of the jig J is clear because the insertion opening 51 is visible, and the insertion direction of the jig J is guided by the guide groove portion 50, so the workability of the operation of separating the sub-housings 20 can be improved.

[0034] The insertion port 51 is formed on the front surface of the side that mates with the mating connector. With this configuration, the wires 107 are not drawn out onto the surface that mates with the mating connector, so the worker can easily see the insertion port 51 of the jig J. This improves the workability of separating the sub-housing 20.

[0035] The sub-housing 20 has a protruding portion 22 that covers the tip (lower side) of the extending end of the elastic locking portion 24. This configuration prevents the worker from accidentally inserting the jig J from below the elastic locking portion 24. Therefore, the worker can insert the jig J into the insertion port 51 of the guide groove portion 50 without any mistakes.

[0036] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. In the above embodiment, the socket 51 is formed on the front surface of the sub-housing 20. However, in other embodiments, the socket may be formed on the rear surface of the sub-housing. In this case, the locking portion may be provided in the rear region of the sub-housing. In the above embodiment, the rear end of the guide groove 50 extends to the rear end of the elastic locking portion 24. However, in other embodiments, the guide groove may not extend to the rear end of the elastic locking portion. For example, the rear end of the guide groove may be located slightly forward of the front end of the elastic locking portion. In the above embodiment, the guide groove 50 has a guide surface 52. However, in other embodiments, the guide groove may not have a guide surface. In the above embodiment, the protruding portion 22 protrudes below the elastic locking portion 24 of the other connected sub-connector 10. However, in other embodiments, the protruding portion may not protrude below the elastic locking portion.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Sub-connector 11...Latching portion 20...Sub-housing 21...Housing main body 21S...Lower surface 21U...Upper surface 22...Protruding portion 24...Elastic locking portion 25...Latching receiving portion 26...Blocking portion 28...Terminal accommodating chamber 29...Lance 31...Removal prevention portion 32...Opening 34...Protrusion 40...Terminal fitting 41...Tab 42...Terminal main body 43...Wire connection portion 44...Primary locking portion 45...Secondary locking portion 50...Guide groove portion 51...Inlet 52...Guide surface 53...Guide upper surface 54...Guide lower surface 55...Guide side surface 56...Latching surface 57...Inclined surface 58...Extension portion 100...Male connector (connector) 101...Frame 102...Moving plate 103...Lever 104...Axis portion 105: Hood portion 106: Connector receiving portion 106M: Groove 107: Electric wire J: Jig

Claims

1. A connector comprising a plurality of sub-housings connected in the vertical direction, wherein adjacent sub-housings among the plurality of sub-housings in the vertical direction have locking portions that lock together to prevent the sub-housings from separating, and the locking portions have an elastic locking portion that extends in a cantilevered manner from one of the adjacent sub-housings toward the other sub-housing, and a lock receiving portion that is provided on the other sub-housing and locks to the elastic locking portion, and the sub-housings have guide groove portions, and the guide groove portion has an insertion port that opens at a position corresponding to the extended end of the elastic locking portion on either the front side of the side that mates with the mating connector or the rear side opposite the side that mates with the mating connector, and extends from the insertion port toward the extended end of the elastic locking portion and faces the extended end of the elastic locking portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the insertion port is formed on the front surface of the side that mates with the mating connector.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-housing has a protruding portion that covers the tip of the extending end of the elastic locking portion of another adjacent sub-housing.

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